Senegal left frustrated in Dakar

Senegal and Burkina Faso played to a 0-0 draw in a 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifier at the Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor in Dakar at the weekend. The referee sent off Kalidou Koulibaly with six minutes remaining in what was a hotly contested encounter in the Senegalese capital.

As a result, things remain wide open in Group D heading into the fourth round of fixtures, with Bafana Bafana fans sure to rest a bit easier following their 2-1 defeat in Cape Verde.

The Lions of Teranga threatened early through Sadio Mané and Everton midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye, but the Stallions were not ready to be bossed by their hosts.

This point was evident as Khadim N’Diaye was forced into a good save to deny Alain Traoré in the 27th minute. Chances continued to come at either end with the Stallions holding their own on Senegalese soil. Prejuce Nakoulma tested the Senegal goal-minder 10 minutes later.

Burkinabe shot-stopper Hervé Koffi was then called into action in the 39th minute as he denied Moussa Sow from close range.Senegal head coach Aliou Cissé introduced Monaco forward Keita Baldé Diao in the 66th minute as the West African giants continued to search for the opener in what proved to be a tightly contested clash.

It would be Burkina Faso, though, to register the next opportunity as Bertrand Traoré’s hopeful shot was easily kept out by Khadim N’diae. Koulibaly received his marching orders following a second bookable offence in the 84th minute as The Stallions sensed a late opportunity to bag all three points on their travels.

Aristide Bancé made his way onto the park moments later as the visitors went on the attack, but Senegal held on as the two teams shared the spoils. The reverse fixture will take place at the Stade du 4 Août in Ouagadougou tomorrow.